Beloved "Star Wars" Actress Carrie Fisher Dead at 60

May the Force be with you, Carrie.

dave-daring.deviantart.com

Carrie Fisher, best known as Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" franchise, has died. She was 60.

Last week, while traveling from London to LA abroad a United flight, the actress had a massive heart attack 15 minutes before landing. A passenger on board preformed CPR until the paramedics came on board and took her to UCLA Medical Center. She was placed on a ventilator.

The official statement, given to People, by Simon Halls, a spokesperson for the Fisher family, said: "It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning."

Born October 21, 1956 to screen legend Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher, she first rose to fame in the Broadway show "Irene," which also starred her mother. In 1977, she dropped out of college at 19 for the role of Princess Leia Organa in George Lucas's film "Star Wars". She became an instant hit with her strong and fiesty portrayal of Leia in the original series, and she continued the role in the newest Star Wars film "The Force Awakens."

Fisher was always open about her struggles with mental illness and her drug use. She chronicled her tumultuous relationship with her mother in her 1990 memoir "Post Cards from the Edge." Her latest book, "The Princess Diarist" came out November 22, and revealed a secret love affair with costar Harrison Ford, who played rebel Han Solo in the series.

Her daughter, Billie Lourd, 24, said “She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”

Fisher dated on-and-off again boyfriend (and later husband) Paul Simon from 1977 to 1984, and then dated him again for some time after their marriage fell apart.

Fisher also dated her daughter's father, talent agent Bryan Lourd, for three years.

On the role that jumpstarted her career, Fisher stated: "I knew that something enormous was likely going to impact my life from this film and that there was absolutely no way of understanding what that was or was likely to be.”

Stars and fans alike are taking social media by storm, sending condolences to the actress's family and others who she impacted.

Fisher is survived by her mother, Debbie Reynolds, her daughter Billie Lourd, and her beloved French bulldog, Gary.

In the words of Obi-Wan Kenobi, played by the late actor Sir Alec Guinness, "Remember, the Force will be with you. Always."